Use of a phase change material system

Abstract

A number of variations may include a vehicle system which includes an engine. The vehicle system may also include a phase change material which may be disposed in a phase change material device. The phase change material may be released into a vehicle cooling system upon user command. The PCM device may be constructed and arranged to increase a temperature of a vehicle cabin without the engine being turned on when the phase change material is released.

1 . A vehicle system comprising:
 a phase change material (PCM) device operably coupled to a vehicle HVAC system wherein the PCM device is configured to transfer heat energy to the passenger cabin without activating a vehicle engine.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM device is charged during previous operation of the vehicle engine. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein the PCM device is constructed and arranged to store heat energy. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein heat is transferred from the PCM device to the passenger cabin upon a user command. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle system of  claim 1 , wherein heat is transferred from the cabin heater to a vehicle cabin. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling system for cooling vehicle mechanical components or mechanical fluids, the cooling system being operably coupled to the PCM device. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle system of  claim 6 , wherein the cooling system is constructed and arranged to transfer the heat energy from the PCM device to the passenger cabin. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 harvesting heat energy while a vehicle engine is running;   turning off the vehicle engine;   storing the heat energy in a phase change material (PCM) device;   discharging the heat energy from the PCM device upon user command;   transferring the heat energy to a cabin heater;   operating a blower to transfer the heat energy into a vehicle passenger cabin, thereby warming the passenger cabin while the vehicle engine is off.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a cooling system for cooling vehicle mechanical components or mechanical fluids, wherein a cooling system is operably coupled to the PCM device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cooling system is constructed and arranged to transfer the heat energy from the PCM device to the passenger cabin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the user command is given remotely. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein no fuel is consumed during warming of the passenger cabin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein no emissions are produced during warming of the passenger cabin. 
     
     
         14 . A method of warming a vehicle cabin without starting a vehicle engine comprising:
 harvesting heat energy during a previous running of the vehicle engine;   storing the heat energy in a phase change material (PCM) device;   discharging the heat energy from the PCM device upon user command; and   using the heat energy to heat the vehicle passenger cabin.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising transferring the heat energy to a cabin heater. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising operating a blower to transfer the heat energy into the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle system of  claim 9 , further comprising operating a cooling system for cooling vehicle mechanical components or mechanical fluids wherein the cooling system is constructed and arranged to transfer the heat energy from the PCM device to the HVAC system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the user command is given remotely. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein no fuel is consumed during warming of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein no emissions are produced during warming of the vehicle cabin. 
     
     
         21 . A vehicle system comprising as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the PCM comprises at least one of a pure salt, a metal, a hydrated salt or a hydrated salt in solution. 
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the PCM comprises at least one of a pure salt, a metal, a hydrated salt or a hydrated salt in solution. 
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the PCM comprises at least one of a pure salt, a metal, a hydrated salt or a hydrated salt in solution. 
     
     
         24 . A method as set forth in  claim 14  wherein harvesting heat energy comprises transferring heat from an engine of mechanical component cooling system, oil system, liquid system, fluid system, exhaust system.